Writing+Break


 * WRITING BREAK**


 * WHAT IS IT?**

"Writing breaks are a reminder to me to just shut up every once in a while and let the kids think." While we often feel pressured to talk till the bell - to pack as much content as we can into a class period - we also know that kids don't remember as much when they are overwhelmed. as we said in chapter 1, less content can be more, if more is actually retained." p 31 **Content Area Writing** - Harvey Daniels, Steven Zemelman, Nancy Steineke

A writing break is a break, at specific points during the class, where students stop and reflect in writing on the class / information so far. Some quick, turn and talk sharing usually follows the writing, then the class resumes.


 * WHY DO WE USE IT?**

These figures will amaze you (well they amazed me). Kids recall between 10 and 30 % of what they read, hear and see.By incorporating writing breaks at regular intervals, about every 10 - 20 minutes, you can really kick the retention up a notch because writing and then talking about it, moves the sticking rate into the 70 - 90 % range.